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Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) [Federal]
Description
Assisted Canadian employers who experienced a drop in their revenue during the pandemic. This subsidy enabled businesses to re-hire workers, help prevent further job losses, and ease back into normal operations. As of October 24, 2021, CEWS has been replaced by the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP) and the Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program (HHBRP).
Who does this aim to benefit?
Eligible employers
What can the aid be used for?
The aid can be used to re-hire workers previously laid off and to help prevent further job losses.
Duration
The last CEWS claim period was period 21 (September 26 to October 23, 2021). The deadline to apply for claim period 21 was April 21, 2022.
Eligibility Requirements
Please see the sections below about THRP and HHBRP for more information on eligibility for those programs.
Where to apply
Issues/Notes/Considerations
There will be no further claim periods for CEWS.
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Work-Sharing Program (WS) [Federal]
Description
This program allows employers to retain qualified and experienced workers and avoid recruiting and training new employees.
A work-sharing (“WS”) unit is a group of employees with similar job duties who agree to reduce their hours of work over a specific period of time. A WS unit must reduce its hours of work by at least 10% to 60%.
Who does this aim to benefit?
Employers and employees
What can the aid be used for?
The aid can be used to retain qualified workers and to allow employees to keep their jobs.
Duration of benefit
A WS agreement has to be at least 6 consecutive weeks long and can last up to 26 consecutive weeks. Employers who request an initial WS agreement automatically receive 76 weeks even if they expect that their employees will return to normal work hours sooner.
The Government of Canada has extended these measures to September 24, 2022 and employers may be eligible to apply for a subsequent 26-week agreement.
Eligibility Requirements
The business must be a year-round business in Canada for at least 1 year, be a private business or a publicly held company, or have at least 2 employees in the WS unit.
Employers are ineligible if the reduction of business activity is due to a labour dispute, a seasonal shortage of work or the decrease in business activity due to a recent increase in size of the workforce. Furthermore, a shareholder who holds 40% or more of the voting shares and is responsible for the direction of the company, an employer operating solely for the purpose of carrying out the administration of a government program/activity that is purely governmental in nature or self-employed are all ineligible for the Work-Sharing Program.
Employees being proposed for a WS agreement must be “core employees”, be eligible to receive Employment Insurance benefits, and must agree to a reduction of their normal working hours by the same percentage in order to share available work. Employees that are considered to be essential to the recovery and viability of a business can now be considered eligible employees.
Where to apply
Issues/Notes/Considerations
Core employees who were laid off prior to the employer applying to enter into a WS agreement may be included in the WS unit. Any employees laid off between the submission of an application to enter into a WS agreement and the date the WS agreement commences will also be eligible to participate.
The email address for application submission is dependent on where the business is located.
Temporary Wage Subsidy for Employers [Federal]
Description
The 10% temporary wage subsidy is a three-month measure that will allow eligible employers to reduce the amount of payroll deductions required to be remitted to the CRA.
The subsidy is equal to 10% of the remuneration you pay from March 18 to June 19, 2020, up to $1,375 for each eligible employee. The maximum total is $25,000 for each eligible employer.
Who does this aim to benefit?
Employers
What can the aid be used for?
The aid can be used to reduce the amount of payroll deductions required to be remitted to the CRA.
Duration of benefit
If you are an eligible employer, but you do not reduce your payroll remittances, you can still calculate the TWS on remuneration paid from March 18 to June 19, 2020. The CRA will pay the amount of the subsidy to you at the end of the year or transfer it to your next year’s remittance.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligible employer: individuals (excluding trusts), partnerships, non-profit organizations, registered charities, Canadian-controlled private corporations
Eligible expenses: payment of salary, wages, bonuses, or other remuneration to an eligible employee
Employers must have an existing business number and payroll program account with the CRA on March 18, 2020.
Where to apply
Issues/Notes/Considerations
The subsidy must be calculated manually by the employer or the person responsible for making payroll remittances.
Payroll remittances made to Revenu Quebec are not eligible for the TWS.
If your business was closed due to COVID-19 and you did not pay salary, wages, bonuses, or other remuneration to an eligible employee from March 18 to June 19, 2020, you cannot take advantage of the subsidy, even if you are an eligible employer.
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Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF) [Federal]
Description
Provides bridge financing to Canada’s largest employers whose needs were not being met through conventional financing during the pandemic.
Who does this aim to benefit?
Large Canadian employers
What can the aid be used for?
The aid can be used for preserving employment, operations and investment activities until the business can access more traditional market financing.
Duration of benefit
LEEFF will be open for applications while the current economic situation persists.
Eligibility Requirements
Large Canadian employers who (a) have a significant impact on Canada’s economy, as demonstrated by the business having significant operations in Canada or the business supporting a significant workforce in Canada; (b) can generally demonstrate approximately $300 million or more in annual revenues; and (c) require a minimum loan size of $60 million are eligible.
Companies that have been found guilty of tax evasion are not eligible under the program.
Where to apply
Issues/Notes/Considerations
Canada is providing loans of $60 million and above, based on the applicant’s cash flow needs for the next 12 months. The loan size for each applicant will be assessed on a case by case basis based on demonstrated need.
Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy Program (CERS) [Federal]
Description
CERS provided rent and mortgage support to eligible businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. As of October 24, 2021, CERS has been replaced by the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP) and the Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program (HHBRP).
Who does this aim to benefit?
Commercial property owners and small business tenants
What can the aid be used for?
The aid provides rent subsidies directly to eligible businesses that have suffered revenue drops as a result of the pandemic. The rent subsidy will provide support for up to a maximum of 65% of eligible expenses.
Duration of benefit
The last CERS claim period was period 14 (September 26 to October 23, 2021). The deadline to apply for claim period 14 was April 21, 2022.
Eligibility Requirements
Please see the sections below about THRP and HHBRP for more information on eligibility for those programs.
Where to apply
Issues/Notes/Considerations
There will be no further claim periods for CERS.
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Canada Recovery Hiring Program [Federal]
Description
The program helps hard-hit businesses hire the workers they need to recover and grow as local economies re-open. The program provides a subsidy of up to 50% of eligible salary or wages. The program provides businesses with certainty that they can take on the extra costs needed to rehire and be ready to return to grow.
Who does this aim to benefit?
Employers and employees
What can the aid be used for?
The aid can be used to hire more workers, increase workers’ hours or increase wages.
Duration of benefit
The claim periods for the hiring subsidy match the claim periods for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS). Because CRHP started at the same time as CEWS claim period 17 (June 6, 2021) the first period you can claim CRHP is 17. Each claim period is a specific period of 4 weeks, beginning on a Sunday.
The subsidy does not renew automatically. Each period, you must confirm that you’re eligible and calculate your amount according to that period’s rules before you apply.
The deadline to apply or increase your claim for each period is 180 days after the end of the claim period.
The program ends on November 20, 2021.
Eligibility Requirements
Employers eligible for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy would generally be eligible for the Canada Recovery Hiring Program. Eligible employers must be Canadian-controlled private corporations (including a cooperative corporation that is eligible for the small business deduction). Eligible employers also include individuals, non‑profit organizations, registered charities, and certain partnerships.
Corporations and trusts that are ineligible for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy because they are a public institution would also not be eligible for the Hiring Program. Public institutions generally include municipalities and local governments, Crown corporations, wholly owned municipal corporations, public universities, colleges, schools, and hospitals.
Eligible employers, or their payroll service provider, would be required to have had a payroll account open with the Canada Revenue Agency on March 15, 2020.
Where to apply
Issues/Notes/Considerations
The current claim period, period 28 (April 10, 2022 to May 7, 2022) is now open for application. The deadline to apply for period 28 is November 3, 2022. There will be no claim periods after May 7, 2022. However, you can still apply for open claim periods until their deadlines have passed. A list of past claim periods that are still open and their application deadlines can be found here.
Each claim period, eligible employers can claim either the higher of the CRHP, or the wage portion of the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP) or the Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program (HHBRP).
Further information on reference periods and subsidy amount information can be found here.
Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) [Federal]
Description
Provides funding to help Canadian small and medium-sized businesses increase their innovation capacity to take ideas to market.
Who does this aim to benefit?
Small to medium-sized businesses (500 or fewer full-time employees) in the innovation and technology sector
What can the aid be used for?
The aid provides funding to increase innovation capacity.
Duration of benefit
Available annually
Eligibility Requirements
Small to medium-sized businesses (500 or fewer employees) that require financial assistance in order to refine and sell their product or solution to meet a COVID-19 related need are eligible.
Where to apply
Applicants should contact an Industrial Technological Advisor at the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program.
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Regional Relief and Recovery Fund – Community Futures Stream [Federal]
Description
Provides funding through loans of up to $60,000 to rural businesses in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The loan will help to mitigate the financial pressure experienced by businesses and organizations to allow them to continue their operations and to help them prepare for a successful recovery.
Who does this aim to benefit?
Rural businesses impacted by COVID-19
What can the aid be used for?
The aid provides funding to mitigate financial pressure and to allow preparation for recovery.
Duration of benefit
Applications are no longer being accepted. The repayment deadline to receive partial forgiveness under the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) has been extended by one year, to December 31, 2023.
Eligibility Requirements
Available to small and medium-sized businesses that have not received duplicate supports through other federal or provincial government COVID-19 support programming such as the Canada Emergency Business Account. Businesses must be located in non-metropolitan regions in Western Canada and they must have been established before March 1, 2020.
Where to apply
Applications for this fund will be accepted through your local Community Features organization or your provincial Community Futures website.
Relief Measures for Indigenous Businesses [Federal]
BC Agri-Business Planning Program: Covid-19 Business Recovery Plan [Provincial]
Description
Up to $5,000 in business planning, services, and coaching for individuals, and up to $20,000 for groups, from a qualified consultant to develop a plan on one or a combination of topics related to growing and sustaining an agri-business.
Who does this aim to benefit?
Producers and food processors.
What can the aid be used for?
Consultation on one or more of the following:
• Business structures
• Production economics
• Business strategy
• Cash flow and financial analysis
• Value added ventures
• Risk assessment and mitigation
• Human resources
• Succession / Transition planning
Duration of benefit
Annual cycles. Must apply in collaboration a qualified business consultant.
Eligibility Requirements
Business entities including sole proprietors, partnerships, corporations, or other associations of persons (including cooperatives) who are either primary agriculture producers or agriculture, food and beverage processors, and are residents of British Columbia.
Where to apply
Submit application to Agribusiness@gov.bc.ca.
Issues/Notes/Considerations
Must work with a business consultant from the list available on the program website, or contact the Program Staff to discuss other options.
Work started on projects prior to receiving program approval will not be eligible for support under this program.
Island Coastal Economic Trust: Smart Capital Restart Funding [Provincial]
Description
The Small Capital Restart Funding program will provide financial support for small capital projects that support short-term business and industry restart and sustainability. The program will also support innovative and cost-effective solutions that will enable the development of new or expanded revenue generation for businesses and industries most affected by longer term closure or operational restrictions.
Who does this aim to benefit?
Projects that support short-term business and industry restart and sustainability
What can the aid be used for?
The aid provides funding that will cover 50% of expenses of eligible activities. Eligible activities include standard capital expenditures as well as technology and equipment costs for new digitally focused revenue generation.
Duration of benefit
No official end date
Eligibility Requirements
Local governments, Indigenous communities and non-profit organizations are eligible.
Where to apply
Application can be found at:
Amplify BC [Provincial]
Description
The BC government has budgeted to provide $22.5 million to BC’s music industry over the next three years. Creative BC will continue to adapt Amplify BC’s programs each year to meet the changing needs of the music industry as part of BC’s economic recovery.
Who does this aim to benefit?
BC Artists, live music presenters, and music companies operating in one of the four following areas: Industry Initiatives, Career Development, Live Music and Music Company Development
What can the aid be used for?
Funding for various areas will be used for different purposes:
Duration of benefit
Each program has a different application date. Deadlines for each program can be found here.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant must fit within one of the four specified areas: Industry Initiatives, Career Development, Live Music or Music Company Development.
Where to apply
Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP) Guarantee [Federal]
Description
Businesses heavily impacted by COVID-19 can access guaranteed, low-interest loans of $25,000 to $1 million to cover operational cash flow needs.
Who does this aim to benefit?
Small to medium-sized businesses that operate in sectors such as tourism and hospitality, restaurants and those that primarily rely on in-person services
What can the aid be used for?
The aid can be used to cover operational cash flow needs, or to help continue or resume operations.
Duration of benefit
The HASCAP Guarantee is available until March 31, 2022.
Eligibility Requirements
You must have received payments either from the Canada Emergency Subsidy (CEWS) or the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) by having demonstrated a minimum 50% revenue decline for at least three months (not necessarily consecutive) within the eight-month period prior to the date of the HASCAP Guarantee application.
Where to apply
Contact your primary financial institution to find out more.
https://www.bdc.ca/en/special-support/hascap?ref=shorturl-hascap
Issues/Notes/Considerations
This loan cannot be used to pay or refinance existing debts.
Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP)
Description
Intended to support organizations in selected sectors of the tourism and hospitality industry.
Who does this aim to benefit?
You may qualify if you are either part of the tourism, hospitality, arts, entertainment, or recreation sectors, or affected by a qualifying public health restriction.
What can the aid be used for?
Through the THRP, whether you are considered a qualifying tourism or hospitality entity or you were subject to a qualifying public health restriction, you may be able to get a subsidy to help cover wages (formerly the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy) and rent (formerly the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy).
Duration of benefit
The eligibility period for THRP is from October 23, 2021 to May 7, 2022.
Eligibility Requirements
There are two ways eligible organizations can qualify for the THRP. Organizations in the tourism, hospitality, entertainment and recreation sectors are eligible if they meet the following criteria:
• More than 50% of their total eligible revenue for the prior reference periods for claim periods 1 to 13 (but excluding one of either claim period 10 or 11) comes from one or more of the tourism, hospitality, arts, entertainment, or recreation activities this program supports;
• They have a 12-month average revenue drop from March 2020 to February 2021 of at least 40%;
• They have a claim period revenue drop of at least 40%.
Organizations subject to a qualifying public health restriction or qualifying partial (capacity-limiting) public health restriction may also be eligible for certain periods, regardless of sector. For details on eligibility requirements, please visit the website.
Where to apply
There are three ways to apply:
1. In My Business Account, find the wage subsidy applications under Payroll in the main menu.
2. Business representatives may apply using Represent a Client.
3. You may use the Web Forms application using your web access code.
For more information, please visit canada.ca.
Issues/Notes/Considerations
The current claim period, period 28 (April 10, 2022 to May 7, 2022) is now open for application. The deadline to apply for period 28 is November 3, 2022. There will be no claim periods after May 7, 2022. However, you can still apply for open claim periods until their deadlines have passed. A list of past claim periods that are still open and their application deadlines can be found here.
Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program (HHBRP)
Description
Intended to support other businesses that have been deeply affected since the outset of the pandemic.
Who does this aim to benefit?
Eligible organizations, regardless of their sector, may qualify for the HHBRP if they don’t qualify for the THRP.
What can the aid be used for?
Through the HHBRP, you may be able to get a subsidy to help cover wages (formerly the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy) and rent (formerly the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy).
Duration of benefit
The eligibility period for HHBRP is from October 23, 2021 to May 7, 2022.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for a wage or hiring subsidy, you must meet:
• two general eligibility criteria that relate to all subsidies;
• additional requirements that are specific to the subsidy you are applying for; and
• revenue drop requirements for the subsidy you are applying for.
You may only apply for one wage or hiring subsidy per claim period, even if you are eligible for more than one.
For details on eligibility requirements, please visit the website.
Where to apply
There are three ways to apply:
1. In My Business Account, find the wage subsidy applications under Payroll in the main menu.
2. Business representatives may apply using Represent a Client.
3. You may use the Web Forms application using your web access code.
For more information, please visit canada.ca.
Issues/Notes/Considerations
The current claim period, period 28 (April 10, 2022 to May 7, 2022) is now open for application. The deadline to apply for period 28 is November 3, 2022. There will be no claim periods after May 7, 2022. However, you can still apply for open claim periods until their deadlines have passed. A list of past claim periods that are still open and their application deadlines can be found here.
Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund [Federal]
Description
Provide loans of between $25,000 and $250,000 to support Black business owners and entrepreneurs. Applications open in May 2021.
This financing support is to be used for operational expenses and is available to both exporting and non-exporting companies.
Who does this aim to benefit?
Black business owners and entrepreneurs
What can the aid be used for?
The aid can be used for capital investments, such as equipment and property improvement, and working capital, such as inventory, payroll and rent.
Duration of Benefit
No end date has been set currently.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for a loan, an applicant must:
- Self-identify as Black or the business must be black-led;
- Be a legal resident of Canada: i.e. Canadian citizen or permanent resident, or conventional refugee (for micro loans only), or a legal entity owned and controlled by a Canadian citizen or citizens; and
- Be a minimum of 18 years old.
Businesses must have a business plan, business registration, and recent financial statements or financial projections for start-ups.
Where to Apply
Issues/Notes/Considerations
Not-for-profit organizations are not eligible.